R E P T I L I A — ALLIGATOR 



695 



mighty sea-like river Mississippi, is the alligator. There, along the muddy 

 shores, and on the large floating logs, these animals are seen lying stretched 

 at full length, basking and asleep, or crossing to and fro the stream in search 

 of food, with the head only out of the water. It is here neither wild nor 

 shy; nor is it the very dangerous animal represented by travellers. But, to 

 give you details that probably may not be uninteresting, I shall describe 

 their more private haunts, and relate what I have experienced and seen 

 respecting tliem in their habits. 



"In Louisiana, all our lagoons, bayous, creeks, ponds, lakes, and rivers, 

 are well stocked with them; they are found wherever there is a sufficient 

 quantity of water to hide them, or to furnish them with food ; and they 

 continue thus, in great numbers, as high as the mouth of the Arkansas 

 river, extending east to North Carolina, and as far west as I have penetrated. 



On the Red river, before it was navigated by steam vessels, they were so 

 extremely abundant that, to see hundreds at a sight along the shores, or on 

 the immense rafts of floating or stranded timber, was quite a common occur- 

 rence, the smaller on the backs of the larger, groaning and uttering their 

 bellowing noise, like thousands of irritated bulls about to meet in fight, but 

 all so careless of man that, unless shot at, or positively disturbed, they re- 

 mained motionless, suffering boats or canoes to pass within a few yards of 

 them, without noticing them in the least. The shores are yet trampled bv 

 them in such a manner, that their large tracks are seen as plentiful as those 



